I in contrast Spotify lossless to Apple Music and Tidal and the loser is obvious

Lately, I obtained the replace from Spotify that enables me to entry their lossless streaming audio choices. I’m insatiably curious, so after years of Spotify promising to supply its 276 million customers (as of July 2025) with a lossless audio choice, I couldn’t assist however acknowledge the achievement of this years-long promise with a evaluate of the audio high quality on provide now.

What would a evaluate of Spotify lossless be with out evaluating it to a few of its opponents? In spite of everything, this new choice doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Streaming providers like Qobuz, Tidal, Deezer, and Apple Music have had lossless audio for years now, so I will even evaluate and distinction a few them with Spotify Premium’s audio high quality.

Spotify lossless, solo’d

A critique of Spotify, in opposition to itself

There are some things that go into the way you expertise sound, specializing in {hardware} and never your physiology. The supply(s) are Spotify and your cellphone. Then, you will want a DAC (digital-to-analog converter) to get the lossless audio out of your supply to your ears. Even the lightning or USB-C-to-3.5 mm adapters you should purchase have miniature DAC chips. Final, you could have over-ear headphones, or in-ear displays (IEMs), or Bluetooth earbuds. That’s a simplified, condensed model of what goes into the expertise, but it surely’s a terrific place to begin for these new to lossless audio and for these of a sure age being reintroduced to it.

With that in thoughts, I grabbed just a few issues to check Spotify in opposition to itself and a few opponents:

1. Google Pixel 9
2. iPhone 16 Pro Max
3. Questyle M18i USB-C/Bluetooth DAC
4. Sennheiser IE900
5. Campfire Axion IEMs with inline DAC and microphone
6. Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3

The cellphone decisions are apparent; I wished to check on each Android and iOS. The DAC was chosen as a result of it’s extensively considered very clear, which implies I ought to hear the music as near the way it was recorded as doable, and the identical goes for the IE900’s sonic qualities. The Axion is an effective product for testing as a result of all the things it’s essential take heed to lossless is in a single neat little package deal. And although I may use the Px7 S3 for wired listening, I selected to make use of it to see how Bluetooth would sound with lossless being compressed to cross the sign to the headphones.

I wished to listen to the distinction between the audio choices with no heavy tuning, so I A/B-tested the Lossless setting in opposition to the Regular setting with the M18i and IE900 first. I went by means of a playlist that covers a number of genres of music, from Hip Hop, Massive Band Jazz, and Dubstep, to Rock, Pop, Orchestral, and movie scores. Was there a distinction? The IE900 helps you to hear each element in a bit of music, so there was certainly a distinction between the 2 settings. Right here’s the factor, although: it wasn’t evening and day. As a matter of truth, I don’t assume that most individuals will discover a distinction until they’ve the precise tools.

I do know this as a result of I’ve accomplished A/B testing with of us I do know, and plenty of of them couldn’t hear a distinction between lossless and compressed streams, even with high-end listening gear. The songs I first listened to and located solely a refined distinction had been:

1. Michael Jackson – “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’”
2. The Roots – “Do You Need Extra?!!!?”
3. Esparanza Spalding – “I Know”
4. System of a Down – “Toxicity”
5. Paul Simon – “Diamonds on the Souls of Her Footwear”
6. Charles Mingus – “Moanin'”
7. Michael Abels, Wolfgang Mozart – “Violin Duel”

Just a bit aspect observe. I discovered that Spotify has a difficulty switching between codecs. Should you change listening codecs whereas enjoying a playlist, it’s supposed to change to the brand new format when the following track begins, however I discovered myself having to exit one playlist, select one other, then come again to the one I used to be attempting to play to change again to Regular from Lossless. I’m positive it’s simply early days’ bugs, however beware in case you’re doing your personal testing.

Spotify vs Apple and Tidal

Spotify has some severe competitors

I talked in regards to the distinction, in numbers, between the file specs that Spotify selected and what Apple provides in this article. With Apple and Tidal each providing FLAC recordsdata streamed at as much as 24-bit/192kHz, it was a curious option to go together with 24-bit/44.1kHz. Amongst just a few different causes, doubtless it is as a result of people can’t hear something past what Spotify’s lossless choice provides. Properly, unhealthy information, I can hear the distinction.

A/B testing Spotify in opposition to Apple Music and Tidal on the Pixel 9 and iPhone 16 Professional Max, with all of the gear, Apple and Tidal tracks sound audibly higher than Spotify’s tracks. What you get with competing providers’ lossless choices highest resolutions is streams of 9,216kbps versus Spotify’s 2,116kbps. Theoretically, extra knowledge equals extra dynamic sound. You will want the right equipment to maximise these variations, however the soundstage opens up, larger texture and nuance are revealed, and bass extension is deeper and darker when listening to increased high quality tracks on Apple Music and Tidal through a top quality DAC and IEMs with a 4.4mm Balanced connection.

There’s one catch right here: “UP TO.” Apple and Tidal each provide lossless tracks with the caveat, “as much as 24-bit / 192kHz.” What which means is your mileage could differ. You could hear a monitor on Spotify that sounds pretty much as good because it does on Apple or Tidal, and in case you test the decision, it could be the identical throughout the providers. While you discover tracks supplied at their highest resolutions, the distinction needs to be fairly conclusive with the precise {hardware} in play.

Spotify Wrapped

Spotify’s lossless stream is extra of a drip

Spotify gives users plenty of reasons to love the service they’re getting! From AI DJs to an algorithm for discovery that folks love, strong social sharing instruments, and a incredible shuffle algorithm, Spotify has what many people like, and their subscriber numbers assist that.

Lossless, although, isn’t one of many causes to go together with Spotify over different choices in the marketplace. I’m glad its there, and who is aware of, perhaps sooner or later they’ll enhance the decision. For immediately, although, my cash’s going elsewhere after I need all of the bit-perfect sound my audio setup can ship.